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She said: "The future of my company is all reliant on getting a pool and if I don't get a pool then a lot of my mums who work Monday to Thursday won't be able to come if I can't give them the lessons on the Friday.

"Then that's it, I've got to stop my company and these 50-odd mums need to find a new swimming teacher and they don't want to do that because the kids love how I teach."

Mrs Fernie has questioned whether the sudden change of heart from De Vere is linked to the sale of Wotton House by parent company Starwood Capital Group to a French investor, Foncière des Régions, that was announced May 3. Following the sale, the hotel will be managed by Intercontinental Hotel Group . A spokesman at Wotton House did not provide a comment on this when asked.

Sarah Fernie helping a baby get used to the water (Image: Sarah Fernie)

Mrs Fernie, who swam competitively for Surrey's county swimming team, said she has had plenty of support from parents but the need to find an alternative venue is desperate.

She said: "Everyone is behind me, all the mums have been rallying around for me, putting a letter together and posting on Facebook, but I need to find another venue so I can continue teaching."

Dorking Ducklings is more than just a business for Mrs Fernie. She started it after teaching her eldest daughter to swim and growing things from there.

She explained: "It's like a hobby for me, watching the children progress from being a little scared of the water to swimming on their own . It's so rewarding and I absolutely love it.

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"It doesn't feel like work at all and I love all the kids I teach so I really, really don't want to let it go and let my mums and all my children down, that's the thing that hurts."

Initially Mrs Fernie had been told she could only hold sessions there until the end of June but De Vere allowed an extension to complete the current courses and avoid having to refund people.

A spokesman for Wotton House said: "As a gesture of goodwill we have extended the partnership with Dorking Ducklings until July 27 to ensure there is no disruption to their current term.

Two babies at a Dorking Ducklings session (Image: Sarah Fernie)

"As there was no contract in place we have gone over and above the usual one month's notice usually given in these circumstances. Our leisure club is very busy with both members and hotel guests and it was no longer operationally viable to continue the partnership."

If you have a suitable local venue Dorking Ducklings can use, email sarah@dorkingducklings.co.uk